The presidential office wage bill is expected to boom by almost €500,000 next year, according to Budget estimates.

In what will be the first full year in office for President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, 2015 will see the presidency spend €1.45 million on staff salaries and wages.

The increase over the €982,000 allocated this year is far above the ordinary hike in wages as a result of the cost-of-living adjustment or minor recruitment requirements.

It is unclear whether the foundation is the reason for the increased wage bill

In 2014, the Budget allocation for salaries increased by a mere €49,000 over the previous year, which pales into insignificance when compared to next year’s estimated hike.

It is unclear whether the hike is a result of significant pay rises, the engagement of more staff or both.

When asked about next year’s wage bill, a spokeswoman said the President’s Office did not form part of the country’s executive.

“Consequently, it does not participate in the discussions held on the Budget and in the Budget vote, which takes place in Parliament,” she said. A constitutional law expert clarified the reply, insisting that the President did not have the authority to speak about the Budget when this had not yet been approved by Parliament.

A new foundation set up by President Coleiro Preca this summer, the Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, is recruiting various professional officers – adverts have been placed in the media.

However, it is unclear whether the foundation is the reason for the increased wage bill since this was given a separate financial allocation in the Budget to the tune of €700,000.

President Coleiro Preca seems to have had a liberal recruitment policy in the first four months of office.

A breakdown of people employed with the President’s office, presented with the Budget estimates, showed that, in August, there were five full-timers more than August last year and the number of employees engaged on contract, on loan or with some other form of arrangement shot up to 71, an increase of 29.

Ms Coleiro Preca took office in April after George Abela’s term expired. She had initially refused the offer made by the Prime Minister, accepting only when it was agreed the presidency should take on a more active social role.

The arrangement had never been spelt out clearly amid concerns that the presidency’s role would overlap with that of the executive.

When announcing the foundation, a non-profit entity, Ms Coleiro Preca had stressed it would not be an extension of “any ministry”.

The foundation includes a National Institute for Childhood, a National Observatory for Living with Dignity, a National Research Council and a National Centre for Freedom from Addictions.

The foundation that will advise the President on initiatives to help improve social inclusion and standards of living is headed by a council of governors that includes former presidents and prime ministers.

Up, up and away

*2011 – 2013 figures are based on actual expenditure. 2014 and 2015 figures are based on approved estimates
Source: Finance Ministry

kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com